Carpet Cleaning Tips to Prevent Odours and Staining

Despite the desire for hardwood floors, many homeowners still love having carpets in their home to keep floors warm and add a cosiness to rooms like lounge areas and bedrooms. However, while regular vacuuming helps to keep them looking cleaner, the reality is that sometimes they require a little more maintenance to maintain freshness in the home and keep your carpets hygienic.

Reasons why carpets may start to smell

Even if you vacuum regularly, you may notice that the carpets in your home have started smelling musty. There are a few reasons why this may have occurred.

Moisture and damp on the carpets can lead to odours, whether it’s from a spillage that wasn’t properly dried out, moisture from plants or a leak that has caused the carpet to hold onto moisture even after the issue has been resolved.

Pet odours can also leave your carpets smelling less fresh, as hair and dander can build up in the fibres of the carpet and may require a deep clean to be removed fully.

Blot, don’t rub, spills

If you spill a drink or food onto your carpet, it’s always best to deal with it as soon as possible – leaving it for even a few moments could make it much harder to dry it out fully, and could allow the stain to set in. However, resist the urge to scrub the stain clean as this could wind up having the opposite effect and drive the stain into the fibres more.

Blotting is your friend when you’re trying to clean up a stain, applying a small amount of pressure to soak up the liquid and blotting from the outer edge inwards to stop it spreading further. If the stain has already set, professional stain removal is the best way to get excellent results.

Tackle grease with washing liquid

Greasy food spills are some of the most challenging to remove from carpet, but the secret is to use the right products and technique, and to act fast. If they’re left, not only will the stain set but the oils can seep into the carpet fibres and lead to mould and odours. Washing up liquid is designed to cut through grease, so a couple of drops in some warm water can be effective at dissolving the grease stain and lifting it out of the carpet.

A handy way to ensure you don’t oversaturate your carpets (which can cause issues of its own) is to transfer the soapy water to a spray bottle and spray the stain directly, blotting with a cloth to dry the moisture and remove the stain.

Deep clean regularly

Vacuuming regularly is essential for taking up surface level hair, dirt and debris, but if you want to refresh the carpets and have them looking and smelling like new again, a deep clean is the way to go.

Professional cleaning makes use of the right equipment and cleaners for the job, so you get the best results, and often it’s a cost-effective solution that keeps the property looking its best without you needing to invest in products and cleaners for yourself. Booking in a deep clean every six months, whether you’re a homeowner or maintaining a commercial property, will keep the carpets fresh and hygienic.

Get in touch

Keeping your carpets clean and fresh is essential for maintaining the look, quality and longevity of your flooring. In a busy home or business environment, spills and stains are unavoidable, but how you tackle them can make all the difference. If you know what to do to prevent a stain from setting in and how to freshen up carpets to prevent odours from developing, it will reduce the risk of you needing to replace the carpets sooner than you’d originally planned.

The team at Apple Clean work with domestic and commercial clients across the South East, including Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Worthing and Surrey. We have a wealth of experience in cleaning carpets professionally, as well as a range of other services such as rug and upholstery cleaning, in-situ curtain cleaning and more. To learn more about the services we offer or to request a quote, get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.